Kozel: CNS Infections II Flashcards
Gram positive, ovoid or lancet shaped, in pairs; old cultures are gram variable; aerobic
Encapsulated
Strep pneumo
Older cultures of S. pneumo undergo (blank); the autolytic enzymes are activated by surfactants such as (blank) and detergents
autolysis; bile
What is the major antigen of S. pneumo? What is another antigen of this microorganism?
capsular polysaccharide; C polysaccharide (techoic acid) in the cell wall
What type of antigen is the capsular polysaccharide of Strep pneumo? Is it essential for the virulence of S. pneumo?
T-independent antigen; yes
incubation of encapsulated bacteria with antibody makes capsule refractile; seen with Strep pneumo
Quellung reaction
What infections do S. pneumo cause?
meningitis (most common cause among young and elderly)
otitis media (most common cause in children >3yo)
pneumonia (80-90% of bacterial meningitis)
sinusitis
What kind of pathology does S. pneumo initiate?
abrupt onset, toxicity, DIC
inflammatory response to the bacterium and its products
**the bacteria initiates the inflammatory response, but avoids being killed by it
3 virulence factors of S. pneumoniae?
- polysaccharide capsule - essential, prevents phagocytosis
- pneumolysin - contributes to inflammation
- peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acid - cell wall components, activate alternative pathway, elicit production of IL1 and TNFalpha, largely responsible for inflammatory response
Components of cell wall of S. pneumoniae
Activate alternative pathway
Elicit production of IL-1 and TNFa
Largely responsible for inflammatory response
peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acid
Virulence factor of S. pneumo;
Porin similar to Streptolysin O
Contributes to inflammation; multiple effects
pneumolysin
40-70% of normal individuals carry pneumococci in the nasopharynx, so (blank) is very high
natural resistance
What are some natural defensive barriers to pneumococcal infection?
cough and epiglottal reflex
mucus and cilia
phagocytosis by alveolar macs
splenic clearance from blood
List 5 conditions that alter resistance to strep pneumo
- depressed action of cilia - viral infection or influenza
- depressed epiglottal reflex - alcohol, morphine, anesthesia
- hyposplenia or asplenia - decreased clearance from blood
- sickle cell disease
- malnutrition
Sudden onset with shaking chill, fever and sharp pleural pain
Bloody, rusty sputum
Generally localized in lower lobes
pneumococcal pneumonia
What specimens can you use to diagnose S. pneumo infection?
sputum
body fluids: blood, CSF, pus
How can you differentiate S. pneumo from viridans streptococci?
- alpha hemolytic (they both are)
- optichin sensitive (viridans is resistant)
- bile soluble
What antigen would you be looking for in a S. pneumo serologic test?
pneumococcal C polysaccharide
How does S. pneumo enter the body?
upper resp tract
Unlike N. meningitidis and Hib, most healthy adults do not have (blank) to S. pneumo
anticapsular antibody